Monterey Historics: Small tales from the paddock

Attendance at vintage racing festivals doesn’t lie: there are a huge number of fans waiting to see more than the allotted two and one-half pages of coverage from the Monterey Historics in the December 2008 issue of Hemmings Motor News. Fortunately for those who wanted to see more, there are a few of us in the friendly confines of the editorial department who are fans as well, and thus the shutters were nearly overworked during the weekend of August 15-17. We certainly won’t be able to post them all here, but we’ll give you a two-course meal. First the appetizer: four memories from the paddock.

John Dimmer – of Tacoma, Washington – and his 1971 Tyrrell 004 was also receiving a helping hand in getting back to the paddock. The Tyrrell was once driven by legend Jackie Stewart. Although this might not look good now, John was able to make the grid for the 1967-1978 F-1 cars (Class 6B), finishing seventh out of 24 entries – 27 were scheduled to start.

Before the start of the ever-popular Historic Trans-Am (1966-1974) feature, Walt Boeninger was making some final adjustments to his 1967 Ford Shelby G.T.350. Walt, hailing from Saratoga, California, completed all 10 laps of the race on Saturday afternoon, finishing 28th of 34 starters (40 scheduled). Incidentally, Bob Barker, Dick Carter and Jerry Oliver each had a turn behind the wheel of the Shelby. According to Trans-Am records, the best finish for this particular Shelby was a ninth place at the 2nd Annual Kent 300 at Pacific Raceways (in Kent, Washington) on October 6, 1968, with Bob Barker behind the wheel.

Not exactly the paddock, but pit road will do. Except that pit road wasn’t exactly the place Scott Drnek wanted to be once the Historic F-1 feature got underway. The Hayward, California, resident was only able to complete seven of the 10 scheduled laps thanks to – what appeared to us as – engine failure. His steed, a 1970 Brabham BT33, was posted 23 of 24 at the finish.